Hexham man fined $500 after breaching intervention order 43 times

By
Everard Himmelreich

July 5, 2014, 4 a.m.

A MAN who breached an intervention order more than 43 times has been fined $500 in Warrnambool Magistrates Court.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Sandra Skilton said Geoffrey Heath, 40, of Hamilton Highway, Hexham, had texted the victim wanting contact on April 6 this year despite an intervention order being imposed on him on April 4 that ordered him not to contact the victim.

A MAN who breached an intervention order more than 43 times has been fined $500 in Warrnambool Magistrates Court.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Sandra Skilton said Geoffrey Heath, 40, of Hamilton Highway, Hexham, had texted the victim wanting contact on April 6 this year despite an intervention order being imposed on him on April 4 that ordered him not to contact the victim.

Heath had also arrived at the victim’s house and argued with her, saying he just wanted to talk.

He had also held on to the window of the victim’s car as she left the property.

He had later driven up and down the street where the victim lived, doing burnouts in a car.

In total, he had tried to contact the victim 43 times throughout April 6, Sergeant Skilton said. Heath had told police the victim had called him to sort out their relationship and he had pleaded guilty to breaching the intervention order, she said.

Belinda Northey, for Heath, said the weekend of April 5-6 was a “tumultuous” one for Heath and his partner.

Heath had become frustrated and “exploded”, she said. Heath had not responded appropriately to his frustrations, Ms Northey said

Magistrate Peter Mellas said Heath had made “a nuisance” of himself with the victim. Mr Mellas told Heath his difficulties with the victim were not going to go away when he walked out of court.

“You need to think carefully and you have to do something about it,” he said.

Mr Mellas said intervention orders were “not just pieces of paper” and needed to be respected.